Problem: Science

Another study? That's not always the answer we want

Jun. 18, 2006

Written by

Bruce Ritchie

DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

For David Loper, a retired Florida State professor of hydrology, the question seemed simple enough: Precisely how does the flow at Wakulla Springs increase with the amount of rainfall?

The answer, he thought, would help predict how future land-use changes could affect water quality.

But he stumbled onto something unexpected: He discovered that as Hurricane Frances approached from the Gulf of Mexico in 2004, the water flowing out of Wakulla Springs decreased by about 40 percent - but as Hurricane Ivan approached that same year, the flow increased by about 20 percent.

Storms and tides in the Gulf, he learned, influence the amount of water flowing out of Wakulla Springs. Wakulla Springs and Spring Creek, located along the Gulf Coast, apparently are connected by cave conduits, where water flow is affected by the tides.

The Wakulla Springs flow decreased during Frances as winds were blowing water away from the land, he said. The flow increased during Ivan as water was being blown onshore.

For example, there are several potential sources of nitrogen pollution around springs, including sewage-treatment plants, septic tanks, farms and development. Determining which ones are causing problems in which springs can be difficult. Scientists aren't even sure how much nitrogen reduction is needed to reverse the growth of weeds and algae in springs.

Some environmentalists express frustration when calls for additional scientific studies mean delaying pollution reductions - particularly at Tallahassee's wastewater spray field. The studies cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and can take years to complete.

Loper, who last year was chairman of a scientific panel that reviewed Wakulla Springs studies and made recommendations, says Florida is facing a "huge problem" with its declining springs. Studies are needed, he says, but Florida can't wait for all the science before it acts.

"We're not going to come up with a smoking gun," Loper said. "I hate to say this, but there will always be room for more studies. At some point you have to say, 'The evidence is good enough. Let's proceed with some remedies.' ''